News

Global insured natural catastrophe losses are on track to reach $135 billion by the end of 2024—the fifth consecutive year that insured losses surpassed the $100-billion mark, according to the latest estimates from Swiss Re. The reinsurance giant attributed the 17% increase in insured natural catastrophe losses from $115 billion in 2023 to the devastating…

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has issued a proposed rule that would allow Medicare Part D prescription drug plans to cover anti-obesity medications. Historically, drugs used for weight loss have been excluded from the definition of a covered Part D drug, regardless of their use for the treatment of individuals with obesity,…

On May 24, 2024, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) issued various resources to assist health plans and health insurance issuers in annually submitting their attestation of compliance with the Consolidated Appropriations Act’s (CAA) gag clause prohibition. These resources can be used to submit the next gag clause attestation, which is due by Dec. 31,…

The IRS has released the inflation-adjusted limit for excepted benefit health reimbursement arrangements (EBHRAs) for plan years beginning on or after Jan. 1, 2025. Effective for 2025 plan years, the maximum annual employer contribution for an EBHRA will increase to $2,150 (up from $2,100 for plan years beginning in 2024). Excepted Benefit HRAs An EBHRA…

IRS Revenue Procedure 2023-34 includes updated penalty amounts that may apply to reporting entities that fail to comply with the Affordable Care Act’s (ACA) requirements under Internal Revenue Code Sections 6055 and 6056. The increased amounts apply to 2024 information returns and individual statements that are required to be filed and furnished in 2025. General…

As the insurance industry grapples with weather volatility, increasing litigation, and cost to replace property, we’ve recently seen several insurance companies be downgraded by financial rating agencies.  An insurance company credit rating indicates an insurance company’s solvency, financial strength, and ability to pay policyholder claims.  As an independent insurance agency, we are very selective about…

On Feb. 21, 2024, President Joe Biden approved $1.2 billion in student debt cancellation for almost 153,000 borrowers currently enrolled in Saving on a Valuable Education (SAVE) repayment plans, lowering their financial burden. Originally planned for July, this approval relieves borrowers almost six months early. The SAVE plan is an income-driven repayment plan that bases…

The IRS has released final 2023 forms and instructions for reporting under Internal Revenue Code Sections 6055 and 6056: Draft versions of these forms were released in July, and draft instructions were released in September. No major substantive changes were made to the final forms and instructions for 2023 reporting. Final Instructions Address New Electronic…

On May 18, 2023, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) issued new guidance aimed at helping employers that use automated systems, including those with artificial intelligence (AI), comply with federal fair employment laws.  The new guidance focuses on preventing discrimination under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act (Title VII), which applies to employers with…

Today in the United States, workers are not guaranteed paid leave by federal law, and many aren’t entitled to unpaid time. To address this issue, President Joe Biden released a budget plan earlier this year, allocating $325 billion to a permanent paid family and medical leave program. The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) is…